NASCAR announces Truck race cutoff time in event of darkness at Pocono

In case the NASCAR Truck Series race at Pocono has a rain delay or a ton of cautions, there is a hard time of 8:20 PM EDT for the race to end. This would mean another timed start in the event the race runs that long.

Good news, this race started right around 6:00 PM ET. It shouldn’t, oh goodness I shouldn’t have said that, but it shouldn’t run that long. This race should take about an hour and a half, or less if it runs green.

There are no lights at Pocono so at 8:20 PM EST, the race will have two laps to go. Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports reported the decision from NASCAR.

Corey Heim looks like the driver to beat early here.

NASCAR says darkness time is 8:20p ET so if there is rain and a delay, as long as at end stage two or later, 8:20p ET is the time where it will be two laps to go the next time the leader crosses start-finish line.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) July 12, 2024

In the first stage of this NASCAR Truck Series race at Pocono, Corey Heim was excellent. Well, not at first, but after an awkward start, he surged to the front to take the lead from the pole-sitter, Christian Eckes.

After a quick 15 laps, it was obvious this race was going to go by quickly. Well before the 8:20 deadline. Stage 2 went by even quicker it felt like, with Corey Heim dominating and taking the win there as well. His No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota is a rocket tonight.

NASCAR Cup Series drivers penalized at Pocono

After failing tech twice, Ross Chastain, Todd Gilliland, and Daniel Hemric were all penalized by NASCAR according to the rule book. That means they lose their car chiefs for the weekend as well as pit selection for this race. All will get to qualify.

Three times through tech and each of the NASCAR Cup Series teams passed technical inspection. Ross Chastain is still searching for a win this season and this won’t help things. Todd Gilliland had started to build a steady rhythm. And Daniel Hemric doesn’t need any more challenges.

This is unfortunate for these teams. Each will now have to work short-handed this weekend. The good news is that they will qualify, but their pit selections are not going to be ideal.

Ross Chastain could really use a win. He has been a championship contender in the last two years and he’s the anchor for Trackhouse Racing. Could he get it done at Pocono?